Longe Range on a Budget

[EchoM70]

Hi all,

I've recently started to become interested in long range benchrest target shooting.(600-1000yrds) I've been trying to figure out the best set-up to go about shooting accurately out to those distances on a budget.

Right now I'm thinking about a Remington 700 or Weatherby Vanguard in 300 win mag with a muzzle brake installed. Glass bedded action, with a Bell & Carlson Medalist™ stock (The one with aluminum bedding.) This would bring the total right at 1k+ glass. Would this be a good budget rig?

Any suggestions? or advice?

 

[wickedsprint]

.308

 

[EchoM70]

Don't think .300 Win Mag has any advantage? I reload so cost per round isn't too different.

 

[firesky101]

when you say accurate shooting, do you mean any particular competition or just shooting targets at 1000yds? Seems like the setup you outline would be fine, but if you have a style of competition in mind someone here might be able to assist you with specifics. FWIW .308 can reach and be nice on your shoulder for lots of rounds downrange.

 

[Sav .250]

You can also Google your question as well. Lots of information to be had.
I`d do more fact finding before I`d shell out $1,000 on anything. J s/n.

 

[sansone]

the 300win mag or the 7mm rem mag make the 308win look like a fairy load at the range you speak of.
I just can't get comfortable with the recoil, my brain knows what's comin' as I squeez the trigger. (ruins my groups)

edit; I like the weatrby sub moa rifles, slightly higher price but for 600(+)yds you need all cards lined-up perfectly

 

[j1]

260 Remington, and several 6.5 caliber cartridges seem to be the wave of the future.

 

[sansone]

at 500yds the 7mm rem mag still has:

2270 fps remaining,
1710 ft/lb energy remaining
the BC is: .536

these #'s are important at very long range

 

[MtnCreek]

Check out the links below. Two very different types of shooting with different types of rifles.

http://www.6mmbr.com/index.html

http://demigodllc.com/

 

[snakeman]

you could consider the 7mm rem mag or 6.5x284

 

[sansone]

you could consider the 7mm rem mag or 6.5x284

yes great choices, but the OP wants a stock factory rifle

 

[denton]

Glass bedding does not improve accuracy. Glass bedding lets you take the gun apart and put it back together with some reasonable chance of getting the same POI.

Savage has a very good reputation for accuracy. I'd look at something 308 or 30-06-ish. The 6.5x55 operated at modern pressures is a very capable long range round, but you probably can't get one in an off the shelf rifle.

On a budget, get a 24/47 or 48 Yugo Mauser. They can be had for $200, because they can't be easily be modified to fit a full length cartridge. However, 7x57 and 6.5x55 fit perfectly. Operated at modern pressures, these are both extremely good cartridges.

Spend $250 to get the action modified and drilled and tapped and to get a $300 Pac-Nor barrel mounted. Add a Timney trigger. Plan on another $200 for a stock that you can finish yourself, or just bubba the military stock for free. Make sure the barrel is properly floated. With optics, this doesn't meet your cost criterion, but you have a custom rifle that will be very accurate and very well suited to long range shooting.

I take some of it back. Savage has a long range series that includes the 25-06, 338 Lapua, and 6.5x284 Norma, plus some other very interesting choices.

 

[Ken70]

Why don't you look at AR15 rifles? Service rifle guys are using those in 600 and 1000 yard competition. 1in8" twist SS barrel, wylde chamber, trigger of your choice. You're just paper punching, so you don't need the 2000 ftlbs of energy.

 

[Gordon]

Mike Miller of the US rifle team that took British events a couple years ago related at a Precision Class; the Cheapest way to get into the game competively is to get a Savage .308 target rifle and add as expensive scope as your budget allows in 20-30MOA Picatinny mounts. He said the 3200 Bushnell 10x with mildots was the least costly with many options up from there. The Savages need little or no bedding and their triggers are somewhat tuneable. Their barrels are generally as accurrate as any non custom barrel, they really are ahead of their factory peers generally. Savage has really done their homework with this niche and offers the 6.5 Norma (6.5x284) if you feel the need. Personally I would stick to the .308 for entry level. Don't be put off by the list prices, the Savages are heavily discounted.
Mike Miller (and I) shoot Remington 700 based guns but they are not stock and cost lots as do the scopes. BTW forget the muzzle brake, which messes with the accuracy generally and is not needed on a heavy target rifle.

 

[taliv]

Glass bedding does not improve accuracy. Glass bedding lets you take the gun apart and put it back together with some reasonable chance of getting the same POI.

the purpose is to have a consistent action-to-stock contact. bedding is supposed to stop things like contact changing with temperature (ambient or from the bbl heating up)

a quality muzzle brake won't change accuracy. almost everyone uses one in non-NRA practical/long range competitions

 

[EchoM70]

I don't need anything with competition accuracy, just something that can hold it's own out to those ranges on a budget rig. Guess I'll have to find another reason to justify a 300 win mag purchase lol.

Thinking about going with the Savage110BA .308 set up. Since it's within budget and is already set-up for long range in mind.

Thanks Again,
Echo

 

[mnhntr]

Any of the 6.5s, take your pick. I like the 260 remington for the brass availability.

 

[CountryUgly]

The Savage 111 Long Range Hunter in .300 win mag will do what you want at a better price point. You can also get in .338 Lapua Mag for the same price which will really get out there and touch something. Drawbacks.... It'll kick the stew out of you. A doable round for that distance minus the recoil is of course the .308 but I've also been hearing great praise for the 6.5 Creedmore or was it the 6.5 Grendel ahh anyways one of those supposedly will get on out there or maybe it was both I'm not too familiar of either. Well there's my opinion take it for what it's worth. Just remember how much it costed you.

 

[jogar80]

Remington - 700P - .308win ........ permanent SMILE

 

[Mr. T]

For the money, I would have to agree with Country Ugly; the Savage 111 in .300 Win Mag. or the .338 Lapua round. I didn't say anything about recoil.

 

[MtnCreek]

For the money, I would have to agree with Country Ugly; the Savage 111 in .300 Win Mag. or the .338 Lapua round. I didn't say anything about recoil.

I will. I shoot a 700P in 300wm and it will beat you like you owe it money! I'm looking forward to better days when I can call the barrel toast and justify a new barrel. 6.5 x something.